The two were among five people targeted by arrest warrants Tuesday in Naples. Prosecutors accuse them of receiving kickbacks in exchange for maintenance contracts to repair Trenitalia's cars and locomotives. They are charged with delinquent association, corruption, money laundering and tampering with public bids for contracts.

In a statement, prosecutors said the wife of one of the former executives deposited more than ¤35,000 from a company that was given contracts. Prosecutors said Trenitalia cooperated fully with the probe.

Trenitalia said in a statement Tuesday it would continue tightening controls on personnel, and might take part in any proceedings that could result from the investigation as a civil plaintiff.